The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-03-11
MISS MARCIA'S VALENTINE.
BY MARY CURRER PARSONS.

For the Yankee Blade.
1t was such a cosy kitchen. The
yellow painted floor and wood work
reminded one of continual sunshine.
The tall, old-fashioned dresser, with
it's rows of blue and white deli, stood
in one orn of the roomy apart
ment; directly opposite an old style
dining-table with bright red cover,
two or three we'll worn books and, a
vase OF dried flowers and grasses.
A braided rug before this table, up
on which, purring placidly, sat
an enormous yellow and
white cat, lending an additional
air of comfort. Between the two
windows which lighted and flooded
the room with sunshine, stood a
small table covered with a coarse,
white cloth, and laid with one plate,
one cup and saucer.
A savory smell from q bubbling ket-
tie betokened that dinner was in pro.
cess of preparation, while bustling
from stove to table, now peering anx-
iously into the kettle and tasting the
contents with a fork, then replacing
the cover, Miss Marcia paused at last
upon the braided rug, and said, appar-
emily, to the cat;
II declare it seems so lonely to sit
down by myself day after day to the
table. wish some one would come
in to-day to take dinner with me. ]
might get some girl to stay with me.
1 suppose plenty Of them in town
would be glad of the chance; but
young girls are a bother, always mess
ing round and breaking dishes. No, /
guess Pm better off without one.
But l do get dreadful lonesome, and
that's a fact"
For thirty-ive years Marcia Hillman
had lived in this gray old farmhouse,
which was once filled to oYerfowing
with a merry, noisy brood OF younger
brothers and sisters, now since the
marriage OF the sons and daughter of
the household and the death of her
parents sometimes seemed lonely to
the eldest daughter.
To be sure, the neighbors were life
long friends, and Jonas, her brother,
lived only two miles distant, still it
was daily home companionship for
which Miss Hillman longed.
No one in the village dreamed that
she was not the most contented spin.
ster in buxton. Happy as Marcia
Hiiiman, was All oftrepested saying.
She derived a comfortable living
from the small farm bequeathed to her
by her father and was considered well
to do by her acquaintance and neigh.
bors.
A loud stamping of snow-burdened
feet and a knock at the door caused
Miss Marcia to pause in her occupa-
ton OF dinner getting.
81 guess it must be Jonas. He said
he'd bring me some sweet apples this
week and opening the door she be-
held, not Jonas but Deacon Apple
yard, q neighbour, who lived about q
mile distant.
"Why, how do you do, deaconf It's
a bitter cold day. Sit right up by the
fire. Been to town, | see"
The deacon, q timid appearing man
about forty years OF age, took the
offered chair and after re-
moving his heavy mittens and un-
winding q long red comforter from his
neck, took from his pocket a letter
and q paper and handed thenato Miss
Marcia, with the remark:
III was down to the Office and Jonas
asked me to bring these to you. He
said that nobody had been after your
mail this week.
"The letters from Sarah, / guess,
and I'm glad you brought that and
the paper. didn't get the Messenger
last week and ! tell you / missed read
ing it. When q body is all soul alone,
apaper is a sight Of company"
Eyes, that's a fact. You don'tlook
very lonesome here, though. This is
one OF the sUnniest, pleasantest kitcb-
ems 10 Duxton."
aYes, it's pleasant enough, but the
weather has been so cold lately it kind
on gives me the blues. Why you amt
q going now" as Deacon Appleyard
prepared to put on his comforter and
mittens.
Dinner is most ready, ana II was
Just wiahing that some one would
come In to take dinner With ms. 1t